Is the 6-minute pegboard and ring test valid to evaluate upper limb function in hospitalized patients with acute exacerbation of COPD?

Figures & data

Table 1 Characterization of the study participants

Demographic and anthropometric characteristics	Patients with AECOPD (n=17)	Healthy elderly participants (n=11)	p-value
Age (years)	70.9±5.1	71.0±8.4	0.93
Gender (F/M)	10/7	6/5	0.98
Body mass (kg)	69.6±13.7	64.1±8.4	0.19
Height (m)	1.66±0.09	1.60±0.80	0.09
BMI (kg/m^2)	25.4±4.7	25.0±1.1	0.74
GOLD stages (II/III/IV)	6/5/6	NA
Pulmonary function
FEV1 (% predicted)	41.8±17.9	93.7±6.6	<0.001*
FVC (% predicted)	60.9±19.2	92.6±7.2	<0.001*
FEV1/FVC	0.50±0.13	0.80±0.03	<0.001*
VC (% predicted)	62.4±19.5	87.2±6.7	<0.001*
IC (L)	1.45±0.38	2.32±0.60	<0.001*

Notes: Data are presented as mean ± SD. FEV₁/FVC, the ratio of FEV₁ to FVC; n, number of individuals.

* Significant difference.

Abbreviations: AECOPD, acute exacerbation of COPD; BMI, body mass index; F, female; FEV₁, forced expiratory volume in 1 second; FVC, forced vital capacity; GOLD, Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease; IC, inspiratory capacity; M, male; NA, not applicable; VC, vital capacity.

Figure 1 Screening flowchart for hospitalized patients with AECOPD.

Abbreviations: AECOPD, acute exacerbation of COPD; BD, bronchodilator; FEV₁, forced expiratory volume in 1 second.

Figure 2 Correlation of manual HGS with performance in 6-PBRT in patients with AECOPD.

Abbreviations: AECOPD, acute exacerbation of COPD; HGS, handgrip strength; 6-PBRT, 6-minute pegboard and ring test.

Figure 3 Correlation of 6-PBRT performance with strength, work, and muscular endurance of elbow flexors and elbow extensors in patients with AECOPD.

Abbreviations: AECOPD, acute exacerbation of COPD; 6-PBRT, 6-minute pegboard and ring test.

Figure 4 Correlation of 6-PBRT performance with elbow flexor work in patients with AECOPD and healthy elderly participants.

Abbreviations: AECOPD, acute exacerbation of COPD; 6-PBRT, 6-minute pegboard and ring test.

Figure 5 Correlation of 6-PBRT performance with PFSDQ-M domains, CAT, and symptoms in patients with AECOPD.

Abbreviations: ADL, activities of daily living; AECOPD, acute exacerbation of COPD; CAT, COPD assessment test; 6-PBRT, 6-minute pegboard and ring test; PFSDQ-M, modified Pulmonary Functional Status Dyspnea Questionnaire; UL, upper limb.

Table 2 Muscle performance of patients with AECOPD and healthy elderly participants

Upper limb muscle performance	Patients with AECOPD (n=17)	Healthy elderly participants (n=11)	p-value
HGS (kgf)	23.5±7.6	32.1±8.4	<0.001*
Elbow flexor torque peak (Nm)	21.1±10.3	33.2±14.8	0.02*
Elbow extensor torque peak (Nm)	22.3±12.6	36.1±13.5	<0.001*
Elbow flexor work (J)	230.9±115.4	501.20±260.62	<0.001*
Elbow extensor work (J)	229.1±107.4	455.3±199.2	<0.001*
∆ Elbow flexor torque peak (%)	23.2±14.4	9.1±4.8	<0.001*
∆ Elbow extensor torque peak (%)	17.5±15.4	5.9±2.6	0.04*

Notes: Data are presented as mean ± SD. n, number of individuals.

* Significant difference.

Abbreviations: AECOPD, acute exacerbation of COPD; HGS, handgrip strength.

Figure 6 Comparison of 6-PBRT performance among patients with AECOPD and healthy elderly participants.

Abbreviations: AECOPD, acute exacerbation of COPD; 6-PBRT, 6-minute pegboard and ring test.

Figure 7 (A) Comparison of the sensation of dyspnea before and after 6-PBRT in patients with AECOPD and healthy elderly participants. (B) Comparison of the sensation of fatigue before and after 6-PBRT in patients with AECOPD and healthy elderly participants. *p<0.05.

Abbreviations: AECOPD, acute exacerbation of COPD; 6-PBRT, 6-minute pegboard and ring test.